| Peering cautiously out from under a cluster of dark-green serrano bushes they could see the lodgeFirelight showed through the open windows
A moment later Devin's heart lurched like a ship caught by a wave across its bows, as a twig cracked just behind him
"Twenty-two riders," a voice saidThe speaker dropped neatly to the ground on Baerd's other side"The one in the middle of them is hoodedAnd by the mingled light of the two moons saw Catriana d'Astibar
"Hooded?" Alessan repeated, on a sharply taken breath"You are certain?"
"Of course I am," said Catriana"Why? What does it mean?"
"Eanna be gracious to us all," Alessan murmured, not answering
"I wouldn't be counting on it now," the man named Baerd said grimly"I think we omega speedmaster day date should leave this place
For a moment Alessan looked as if he would demur, but just then they heard a jingling of many riders from the path on the other side of the lodge
Without another word spoken the four of them rose and silently moved away
"This evening," murmured Scalvaia, "grows more eventful by the moment
Tomasso was grateful for the elegant lord's equanimityIt helped steady his own nervesHe looked over at his brother; Taeri seemed all rightHerado was white-faced, howeverTomasso winked at the boy"Have another drink, nephewYou look infinitely prettier with color in your cheeksThere is nothing to fearWe are here doing exactly what we have permission to be doing
They heard the horsesHerado went over to the sideboard, omega constellation filled a glass and drained it at a gulpJust as he put the goblet down the door crashed loudly open, banging into the wall beside it, and four enormous, fully-armed Barbadian soldiers strode in, making the lodge seem suddenly small
"Gentlemen!" Tomasso fluted expertly, wringing his hands"What is it? What brings you here, to interrupt a vigil?" He was careful to sound petulant, not angry
The mercenaries didn't even deign to look at him, let alone replyTwo of them quickly went to check the bedrooms and a third seized the ladder and ran up it to examine the half-loft where the young singer had been hidingOther soldiers, Tomasso registered apprehensively, were taking up positions outside each of the windowsThere was a great deal fashion d |
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